I'm a writer, frequent traveler, and even more frequent kitchen superstar. This blog is an attempt to capitalize on those strengths. I live and work in Astoria, New York, and spend entirely too much money trying to recreate travel experiences through meals at local restaurants and at home.

America's Prettiest Towns

There’s a good reason Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy chose Newport, Rhode Island, for summer escapes by the water. First, consider the draw of one of the most enchanting stretches of shoreline on the East Coast, a seascape best viewed when traveling down the ten-mile twist of Ocean Drive. Then there’s Newport’s time-traveling charm, its ability to whisk you away to other periods in American history by way of colonial-era homes and Vanderbilt mansions.

To designate Newport and the rest of America’s most picturesque towns, we called on recommendations by experts from the Travel Channel, National Geographic, the author of a book about towns in the Northwest, and Fodor’s. Some locales have changed considerably in the last few decades, while others have remained the same for centuries. All offer not only aesthetic reward, but also memorable activities and destinations nearby.

Described as the “Athens of the Prairie,” Columbus, Indiana, is an unexpected municipal gem. The Midwestern town is home to a dizzying selection of public buildings and sculptures wrought by icons such as I.M. Pei, Eero Saarinen and Richard Meier. The architectural boon is due largely in part to the civic enthusiasm of J. Irwin Miller, then president and chairman of the Cummins Corporation. Miller founded the Cummins Foundation which helped fund and attract the small army of notable architects beginning in 1957. “Considering that it’s such a small town, it’s an amazing place to visit,” says Don Wildman,host of Off Limits and Mysteries at the Museum on the Travel Channel. “It’s an incredible architectural town, and the whole place has that kind of vibe to it.”

Like Newport’s seaside properties, a home in the wealthy enclave of Taos, New Mexico, won’t come cheap. Located high up in the mountains, Taos, which has been inhabited for nearly 1,000 years, is widely recognized today as a pristine skiing locale. It’s also home to a growing community of artisans whose work in both the Southwestern style and in a variety of contemporary genres lends the town its artistic reputation. The town’s neighbors, the natives of the Taos Pueblo, have called the area home for a millennium, a feat that has earned it National Historic Landmark status. The area contains the most well-preserved five-story pueblo in the country, and its remarkable adobe walls still house more than 100 people.

Post Your Comment

Post Your Reply

Forbes writers have the ability to call out member comments they find particularly interesting. Called-out comments are highlighted across the Forbes network. You'll be notified if your comment is called out.

Comments

I’ve been to a lot of these places and while they’re very pretty, I’ve been to prettier. Who ever wrote this needs to travel a bit more in this country. I’ve been to every state at least a couple times, except for Alaska (I’ve only been there once, but worked there for several weeks) and through my travels have seen some beautiful charmingly small towns. In CA, which is where I live now, for instance, just off the top of my head, Capitola or Calistoga are so much prettier than San Luis Obispo. Used to visit Gatlinburg quite a lot, but while it has a great art community, the town itself is a huge tourist trap.

Thank you both for reading, and I’m sorry you disagree with some of our choices, but I was aware going in that there would be those who wouldn’t agree with whatever list I finally arrived at. These lists can be, to a certain extent, subjective in nature and they rely on the preferences and the experiences of myself and the travel experts I relied on and cited in the piece. You may disagree with our selections, but between the five of us who chose the towns, we’ve seen our share of the country. I will agree, however, that Washington has a great selection of small towns and communities – the entire Pacific Northwest is an amazing portion of the country. It’s hard to choose. Thank you for your comments, though.

Hahahahaha Longview, Washington? You have got to be kidding me, I lived there for 3 years and it is a dump!! I can think of 20 other smaller towns within a 100 mile radius that are prettier than Longview. Drive north on 1-5 coming into Longview and tell me with a straight face that it’s “pretty”.

John, I rea you seemed to have left out one particular place. Talking about Montery/Carmel in California. This is famous for scenic places, great restaurants, white sand beaches, stores galore, traffic is light to minimum, gorgeous weather. The fisherman’s wharf is excellent! Please take time to check this places and you won’t regret it..I guarantee it. thanks for your time..take care!

Editorial error: Newport RI was the destination of choice for East Coast wealthy from 1853-1963 — not 1953-1963! Now it’s popular for boaters (especially big yachts), live music lovers, history-buffs, and “destination” weddings. Not to mention our company offices on Spring St (next to the fine wine store, across the street from several art galleries.) Unfortunately though, it’s a town that mostly goes dead in the winter.

Thanks for the catch, Anne, but actually, that description should should indicate that it was the “destination of choice for presidential vacations from 1953-1963.” I will try to get a correction in, though. Thanks again!

Longview? Originally being from the area I am shocked that anyone has ever used the words ‘pretty’ and ‘Longview’ in the same sentence. Since Longview is often referred to as the armpit of Washington State I am truly shocked that anyone who has traveled actually thought Longview was pretty. The article does have a beautiful picture of Sacajawea Park, which really is a nice park. The other photo of Longview however is taken from a small town in Oregon named Rainer; they have that beautiful view, not Longview. I could argue that Rainer is prettier than Longview but what would be the point when Forbes has already screwed up choosing a pretty town in the Northwest?

You really need to get out more. Longview? Are you nuts – really this place is an eyesore at best. Apparently, the five of you don’t travel much at all. I realize there are a lot to choose from, but seriously Longview???? Some of my picks would have included Santa Cruz in California, Alki/West Seattle in Washington state, Friday Harbor in Washington state, Capitola/Aptos in California, Leavenworth in Washington state, Coure d’Alene in Idaho. Gads there are so many better places.

Having lived in Longview, I like that the town was included. Unfortunately a good amount of it is less than desirable. While the old west side is beautiful, and west Longview and the surrounding hills are a great place to live the rest is a bit less. Large potholes throughout town go unrepaired, much of the town is of lower income and in disrepair while the historic downtown district can hardly find businesses to fill it. Not to mention a large coal import terminal which is moving in with plans to move mile long trains through the middle of town. I would not say Longview is a bad place to live, but I would also not say it is on a whole the prettiest town. But it does have very nice features, and I enjoy living here far more than I did Seattle.